Sultan Mohammad Ali

Sultan Mohammad Ali Who was Mohammad Ali? Mohammad Ali is considered to be the embodiment of Modern Egypt. In 1805 he founded the Khedivate of Egypt and Sudan, which he took advantage of on the disorder in Egypt which followed the French occupation in 1798=1801.Once he was in control Khedive Ali worked alone from the Ottoman Sultan, and even making threats to invade Istanbul. Egypt experienced fast and considerable modernization and economic growth. Mohammed Ali was deployed to Egypt as the head of an Ottoman Army to retake the Province. He managed to obtain the support of the Egyptian Religious Institution and the people, who made the demand that he become the protector of Egypt in 1805, but he was not haooy with the authority to control Egypt. Wanting to construct a Kingdom for himself out of the failing Ottoman Empire he took the inititave to modernize and strengthen his territory using Europe as an example. His technique to modernize was so triumphant that he eventually threatened the authority of the Ottoman Sultan to whom he was supposed to uphold. How did Mohammed Ali contribute to Egypt’s economic growth? Mohammed Ali decided to nationalize all of Egypt’s agricultural lands so he could fund the Military and improve with a vast plan of canal building. Using the profits from the agriculture he established an Industrial base which supported his Military which in turn would bring about weapons and ships for a modern Navy and Army. By building up Egypt’s textile industry he was able to compete with Europe so enabled him to train a new generation of Egyptian Managers and workers, also expanding the educational system in Egypt. Below are a few examples of how he contributed to the economic growth in Egypt. • Mohammed Ali succeded in advancing the Egyptian economy throughout his reign and transform the economy from efficiency to export so to develop all sectors, Agriculture, Industry and Trade. • Changed the System which had been established by the Pttpman Empire, redistributed possession among the people allocating 3-5 Feddan (Acres) for each Family and introduce new methods of Modern agriculture to increase Production. • Established barrages to make the best use of the River Nile, also to cultivate Cotton and export it abroad which achieved a strong return for Egypt. • Succeded in transforming the agricultural economy from food to a monetary econonmy, based on production and generating income, also developed Industry so he started the Factory System and trained Egyptian workers the use of modern machinery. • Relied on local Industry and increased exports and reduced Imports which helped stimulate and develop economic growth, monopoly base and relied on the Cotton Trade to finance the Industry. How was Egypt under the Rule of Mohammed Ali? Under Mohammed Ali’s Rule of Egypt he introduced a new Tax System, Census, Conscription and even vaccinations for the Children, which still remains today. He also expanded the Education System and sent missions to Europe to learn Languages and bring back new technologies and organizational tactics. Mohammed Ali and Modern Egypt. Mohammed Ali is still regarded as the embodiment of Modern Egypt, even though his legacy is controversial , reason being the great amount of Cost that the Egyptians paid for the changes he initiated, but remains very favoured by the Modern Egyptians.